Communal meal after Rosh Hashanah services

Dear members, friends and supporters,
     Our congregation has taken an important and historical developmental step.  We have decided to build our own synagogue in Hameln!!!
     The city of Hameln, in a show of support and in recognition of our accomplishments, has agreed to sell us the land that the Hameln Synagogue stood upon before its destruction in 1938. Letters of support from the former Jews of Hameln, asking the city fathers to assist our community in its vision of a permanent home, were of great help. The cost of the land was exactly the sum of money we have in our building fund!
     Of course, our money isn’t enough, and we are deeply indebted to Rabbi Jo David and the Jewish Appleseed Foundation for their help in organizing a PR and fundraising campaign. The JAF has continually helped our congregation. They have stood by us religiously and spiritually, financially and emotionally: the design, production, and distribution of our congregational Tzedaka boxes, mousepads, and brochure “Rebirth and Renewal- Progressive Congregations in Germany”, the grant that allowed Rabbi Zoref to serve our community last May, the sponsoring of this Web site, and the weekly mentoring sessions with our president — just to name a few.
     Rabbi David will visit us again In January and will help us plan the building. We call on all our talented members and friends to join us. This synagogue will be for us, our children, our grandchildren, and our city. Mazel Tov to us for taking this historic step in building the first Reform synagogue in post-war Germany!!

Cantor Lilienfeld Returns to Hameln
     After the short Kaddish service on the 9th of November on our land, we will return to our community center for a Friday night service with Cantor Francois Lilienfeld. A Kiddush will follow the service.  Saturday evening, Cantor Lilienfeld will give a concert of Jewish music at the Münster Church in Hameln. Everyone is invited.

Visiting cantor Francois Lilienfeld and Bat Mitzvah candidate Rebekka Dohme

Mitzvah Committee
     We’ve organized a new group in the congregation — the Mitzvah Committee! This group will visit our home-bound members. Drop by the office and we’ll let you know who in your neighborhood would appreciate a visit. It only costs you a little time and you will be performing the Mitzvah of visiting the sick. You'll be all the better for it!

Winter Machene for Teens
     The Liberal Congregation of Hannover is planning the second Jewish Winter Camp for teens (14–20 year-olds ) from Dec. 27 to Jan. 3. Mark your calendars and save the dates! More info later in the month!

December Bat Mitzvah
     It’s a bit early, but Rebekka Dohme and her family invite all members and friends to her Bat Mitzvah on Dec.1. Please join Rebekka and family for a luncheon after the service. Our second Bat Mitzvah hopes you’ll join her on her very special day.

German Class
     Polina Pelts has been teaching a German class for Russian-speakers for over five years. Polina offers this course free of charge. The class is excellent and well-attended — too well-attended! The class has become too large and Volodymr Bartelbaum has volunteered to share the teaching responsibilities. Register in the office for his beginner’s course!

Religious School - dancing the hora! From left clockwise: Inna, Rebekka, Julian, and Anton

New Members
     We welcome Polina Lyfschitz to our congregation. Welcome Polina! Our community continues to grow and grow and grow!

Book Sale
     Josif Pelts has initiated a book sale on Sunday, Nov. 18th from 10:00 to 4:00 P.M. in our community center. The books (Russian and German ) are from his private collection. Josif intends to contribute the profits from the book sale to our Synagogue Building Fund! Thank you Josif!!!

Toda Rabah . . . . . . . . . . Thank You
     Thank you to the following members for Rosh Hashanah contributions: The Pesok family, Lebedynski family, Mrs. Bartelbaum, Rakhmanov family, Pelts family, and the Dohme family.
     Thanks to the Frid family for a Rosh Hashanah contribution to our Building Fund.
     We also thank our friends from the Liberal Congregation of Cologne for hosting our members at their Sukkoth celebration. Thanks also to Polina Pelts for helping to make the outing a success.

Tree Of Life
     Our Tree of Life graces our sanctuary with it’s golden leaves. You can add a leaf for only DM100 or $54. The money goes into our Building Fund. Use this siteós secure server to order your leaf today!
     New leaves have been ordered by: Mrs. Koslova, Mrs. Bartelbaum, and Mrs. Hövelmann

Birthdays In November
     We'll celebrate a Birthday Kiddush on Friday the 23rd of November. The birthday kids will receive a small gift and there will be birthday cake for everyone!
     Happy Birthday to: Genrich Jeger, Dora Vinnytska, Juriy Lebedinskiy, Tatjana Drabkina, Larissa Chapiro, Marysol Fischer, Max Dohme, Johanne-Liat Berry, Alla Samarina, Larissa Dvortsis, und Arkadij Zyryanov

Refuah Schlama . . . . . . . . . Get Well Wishes
     Sincere get well wishes to all those who are ill.

SHALOM!